I was so exited to come to the concert on 8 December despite all the tight schedule I had before heading to Europe. Yes, I flew to Europe the next day after the concert. But I could not hold myself from telling the world that this is definitely one of the best concert I ever attended. Wait, my bias.. all shinee's concert would be the best concert in my eyes. hahahaha.. I attended several concerts all along this year and to be honest, I can tell the world that I truly belong in SHINee World and not any other world..
The concert was opened with Lucifer Remix. The boys came out with the white outfit from some sort of spaceship. The remix sounds exactly like the way it presented during the SMTown Jakarta. Of course I didn't mind. Its just less spark that the same performance that they put during SMTown LA. The "kesha" remix didn't work for my ear. They continued the performance with A.Mi.Go, Juliette, and SHINee World.
After this segment, they officially opened the show by talking to the fans. In their broken English and of course, they would return to their mother tongue. It gets no brainer to come to that conclusion. hehehehe... They introduced themselves - I don't get it really. Why all Korean bands always introduce themselves in each and every performance while we know exactly who they are. Especially this one is their own concert. We already know who you are, boys. Maybe more than you know yourself. hahahahah.. *rabid fans* *oh, my itunes radio suddenly air SHINee's run with me* *get all exited again*. Oh yeah, after introduction, they told the fans to enjoy the concert as much as we can.
Of course boys! Can't you see?
They continued by singing one of my favorite songs from their Japanese album: Always Love.
Nevertheless, I always found this song charming but hear it live is another story. They put solid performance and the nice ballad becomes nicer! I will always love you, boys! I will love you more with Hello and Replay that came afterward. They put almost the same Hello Performance like SWC1 but this time is more dangerous I guess. They put in such a high place with only small platform while the background video projected them in windows. Guess, some staff are getting crazier after they managed to put them in such a high and small platform during SMTown LA.
But before the song began, the K-Pop Paster Color princes took the stage as a prince. Literally a prince with all the wings. If you don't believe me, see this pic below:
Not that I hate the concept, but with that outfit and all the glitter, you cannot imagine them as prince in shining armors ready to save you from the witch and the dragon. Instead, they were the one who captured by a group of man in colorful skirt. In resemble to a certain minority which made SHINee's performance in this particular song criticized for not being cultural sensitive.
And look at Taemin's outfit for Replay. One staff must be even crazier to put that outfit again after hundreds of Arena Tour. hahahaha... not that I am complaining though
VCR follows Replay to give away series of solo performance. The order is as follow: Minho, Onew, Taemin, Key, JongTae - Internet war, and Jonghyun. Of all, I did't get Minho's solo but his sexy move and Taemin's rock besides him screaming "are you ready singaporeeee?" before banging his head again. Internet war is simply the utmost result of putting Taemin and Jjong in the same room. Though, I have to admit that the chemistry is not as hot as SMTown Jakarta. Or maybe because this is the second time I saw this performance live.
My award for best solo performance goes to ONEW!! I love his solo to bits. I love when he sang Bruno Mars' "I won't give up". His voice is really romantic and smooth. I sang the song non-stop after the performance. And the second song called passionate goodbye really hits home. Onew was the star of the concert! hands down!
After all the solos, they all changed outfit during VCR. We were presented with Seesaw, Sherlock, Love Like Oxygen and The Reason. For me, I saw live performance of Seesaw and the Reason for the first time. The two songs came from the same Mini-Album with Sherlock and I have to admit that I loath at seesaw less than the first time I heard it. Though, I still sang seesaw in its original Japanese verses. And the robotic moves came back with Sherlock. My forth if not fifth time I saw this live and I can't help asking:"oh I am so curious.. yeah". Why on earth you didn't try to put it differently??
Good thing the dance smooth was smooth. And good thing they finally remix it during MBC Gayo Daejun. Bravo! Love like Oxygen performance is not bad at all. They began with the water show and gosh, man in wet is like... *you fill in the blank yourself*
My favorite moment goes to The Reason. I love the song and I love the 2Min moments like below:
Oppa Minho is back in the hood, people! Appppaaaaa..... *yoogeun style*
VCR came in again for SHINee to come out as angels. Guys.. don't you think we will buy this type of performance again? You did it during children song in SWC1 and now you put it out again for Amazing Grace? I know the outfit suits the song but better be creative next time okay!
But who would have guess that the next performance would top all the drama of the night. Welcome King Jonghyun who rip his heart out singing Y Si Fuera Ella. A song who originally sang by Alejandro Sans. It was a powerful performance I would say, but ripping out a fake blood and then dip himself in a fake pool of blood didn't help. Jonghyun dear.. I know you are the king of all cheezy things in the world, but asking a staff to help you off the stage didn't make us teary. In fact, I was laughing the moment he dart off the stage. Although overall, it was very enjoyable performance!
After Jjong's bloody performance, I literally had the most laugh moment of all concert. The VCR on the "Tie the Yellow Ribbon" is so freaking funny and very fun. See the repetition? I didn't know that SHINee boys had those fun and comedic sense to their nerve but Onew stole the VCR by his annoyed act to Key's performance. Onew is such an angelic singer and comedic face of the night. He is adorable beyond words! Although the real performance of Tie the Yellow Ribbon was not as fun as the video. Nevertheless, seeing the boys having fun throwing out fake paper money is crazy. As crazy as the end when the tube near the stage suddenly throw hundred if not thousands paper money to the audiences in the moshpit. Why bother asking the boys handing them out actually? hahahahaha..
My fave song came next! Say "A-Yo" everyboooddyyyy!!
Seeing Minho's happy face, how can I cannot be happy? This song always has a special place in my heart. A song that could cheer me up at any time. Knowing that we could take a rest during a fight but we are constantly reminded not to give up. Yes, life is about not giving up ourself or our dream. Knowing ourself and what to achieve in the future. I shook my penlight along side them, singing A-Yo in a happy note. As happy as the boys singing on the stage ^^
Well, many said, happiness could not long last. Came a series of songs which ruin the mood of A-Yo for me. Jojo, Stranger, Ready or Not, and Ring Ding Dong (Hard Rock Remix). Among the four, I only enjoyed Jojo. RDD Remix, again doesn't suit although the remix was changed from hardly enjoyable RDD during SMTown Jakarta. Good try, boys. Better next time!
The next part, I did enjoyed it alot! It started with To Your Heart. Then the K-Pop Color Pastel princes got back with the sword. But well, you did't got all your princes perfect, no? Even when they hold the sword during "Start"
I wish I could say you are my everything with that sword, dear Shinee. But I just couldn't. Lucky for you.. your next performance put me in tears and brought me to tears.
I literally cried during the VCR and "The Name I Loved". I know the video was scripted and all, but it brought all the memories within. I remembered the day I heard "A-Yo" and knew the meaning. I remember broke down in pieces hearing that song and know that I could rest for a while before fighting again. It is also still clear in my memory how meaningful it was to go to Nanjing for you and Kisi. It was a moment where all seems went wrong in my office. I couldn't handle it anymore. At that time, only you and Kisi who console me back to my sanity. And I am right, after attending your concert in Nanjing, all seems getting better in the office. We spoke to each other again and we start to work with each other again. With an open heart and an open hand.
Oh my dear SHINee.. you might never know just how much your song and your concert have been such a light in my life. You all have helped me in your own way. It was big and I know with God's permission, all goes well. I would like to thank you, SHINee.. To you. For all your hard work in bringing the songs and the concert to us. You are meaningful to me and to my life. You are forever the name I always love.
And you are the home I belong to. Forever, I belong in the SHINee World.. Forever.. Yongwonhi.. With this, I thank you for all the courage, smile, cheerfulness and strength you have inspired in my life. You don't bow to us, we bow to you.
Stay smiling, boys.. it is your smile that keeps us move forward. Your smile and songs are our bodyguard. For us to move forward..
At the end of the show, we could only thank you enough by celebrating Minho and Onew's birthday. It was a joyful moment, seeing you guys having fun throwing cake at each other. And your interaction with the audience and the members paid off for all the silence you had during the 3-hours concert. Keep it up and speak more next time. Cause our connection is what matters the most.
And especially for you, Minho... Happy birthday! Your ambition reminds me of my own and your wit not to hide it encourages me not to hide mine. May your life be blessed...
Last but not least, thank you piper, jems, and icha for sharing this blistful moment together. We had so much fun, had we? Lets go together again next time..
p.s. All pictures are credited according to the names appeared in the pictures. No other purposes intended but to give a fuller story to this memory.
